The synopsis of this book immediately caught my attention—Greek mythology meets Harry Potter? Count me in!

While I enjoyed the overall story, there were a few aspects that didn’t quite work for me. The way the main character ends up at the academy and gets enrolled felt a bit rushed and unconvincing. It was also strange how easily everyone accepted her as an assassin, especially considering she didn’t seem particularly skilled in that role.

That said, I still found the plot engaging. The dynamic between Lucien and Kiara was intriguing, even if it leaned more toward a one-sided enemies-to-lovers arc. I’m especially curious about Lucien’s friends—they seem… off in a way that makes me want to know more.

Despite its flaws, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m definitely planning to continue with the series. I’d give this 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4! Thank you Ever King and NetGalley for the ARC!

🔥 Initial Reaction:

I really wanted to love this book. The premise? Fascinating. A dark, Slytherin-coded magic academy with ties to Greek mythology? Say less—I was all in. Unfortunately, while the setup was strong, the execution left a lot to be desired.

💡 What Drew Me In:

The concept of blending modern magical academia with ancient mythology immediately intrigued me. I’m a sucker for a villain origin arc, secret societies, and a morally gray cast of characters trying to outmaneuver each other in a dark academia setting. The dual POV, the inclusion of secret orders, and the mysterious nature of the Grimoire Selection Ceremony were all promising hooks.

🌍 Worldbuilding & Magic System:

The magic system showed real potential and offered something unique, but the delivery felt underdeveloped. I was often left grasping for clarity—too many vague references and not enough grounding details to really immerse me in the world. The secret societies, a huge component of the intrigue, were introduced but never truly explored. For instance, Kiara gets a history book from Octavia… and then it’s never mentioned again. What’s the point of the Raven Society? Why are Lucien’s “friends” so shady—and why does he still trust them despite recognizing they’re hiding something?

🧠 Pacing & Plot:

Here’s where the book struggled most for me. Time jumps between POVs (sometimes days or weeks) felt arbitrary and often left me confused. There were long stretches with little actual plot development, making the story feel like it was spinning its wheels. Major plot conveniences were also hard to overlook—like no one questioning Kiara’s surprise appearance at the ceremony, or the fact she can skip classes for weeks without consequence. The whole setup feels like it’s meant to support a much larger series arc, but instead of teasing me into reading more, I felt more frustrated than curious.

👥 Characters:

The characters had the right bones, but their emotional depth and development were inconsistent. I appreciated Kiara and Lucien’s dynamic and the hints at deeper motivations, but the story didn’t give enough insight into either character for me to truly connect with them.

🧾 Final Thoughts:

This book has all the ingredients for something great—a compelling concept, a dark academic vibe, mythology, secret societies—but it felt more like a draft of something amazing rather than the finished product. It may find its footing in later installments, but for me, the confusion, pacing issues, and lack of resolution made this a one-and-done read.

DNF at 14%. Maybe this is just me, but I could not get into this book. I might pick it back up later, but for right now, I just can't finish it. The writing was a little hard to get used to, it is not the best thing I’ve ever read. The characters seemed interesting but the plot was taking too long to do anything. Like I said, this may just be me, I am in a reading slump right now and I probably need to read something else before I try this again. This review is subject to change as I might try again and right a real review.

This was a lot of fun!
All in all, "Academy of Villains" was an exciting read, and I’m really looking forward sequel. The world building around greek mythology is very entertaining.

Academy of Villains Nyx & Erebus (Academy of Villains #1) by Ever King

In a kingdom where magic is slowly disappearing, an evil king expands his territory to gain more power, destroying towns and villages along the way. He collects the orphaned children with no magic and trains them as assassins in his army to be used as weapons against his enemies. Meanwhile, those who possess magic are sent to a ruthless academy to train as mages, ruling with cruelty under the evil king’s expanding reign.

Rating: ****
Feels: Temptation, Suspense, Curiosity, Anticipation
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Magic Academia, Magic
First published : October 14, 2024 : 448 pages Kindle

Loved the dark flavor and Greek myth vibes from this academia book where our girl Kiara spends a good portion of the book trying to kill the ever sexy Lucian only to slow burn her way right into his shadows !!! This book has soooo many of the things I love… Villains (can we say bad guys are just better ???) a tight knit group of guys looking out for each other in a secret society (love me found family) really cool magic system (different mage types ) and the mages battle each other in class !!! History and lore involving gods and you gotta spend time in the library reaching (yes break open those books !!!) The villain gets the girl is quickly moving up the list of my favorite tropes and this book does it soooooo well with all the shadow daddy glory you could want. loved this first part of the story and can’t wait to read the next story.


Favorite Quote: She’s been consuming my thoughts, like an itch I can’t scratch. Her presence stirs something in me, something dark and restless that lies beneath the surface. It’s like a beast just waiting to be let loose, and she’s the only one who seems capable of bringing it out. I need to see her again, to know her—or perhaps to unravel her entirely.

This book has:
Strong FMC
Morally Gray MMC
Enemies to Lovers
Touch her and die
Found Family
Hidden Identify
Secret societies
Politics
Villain gets the girl
Magic
Potions
Hints of Greek mythology

In this first book of the Academy of Villains we meet Kiara and Lucian as our main characters. Throughout this dual POV book we learn more about the world. Like the different types of magic, including star mages, shadow mages, water mages and so on. We also learn there is a curse on the kingdom that is attached to Prince Lucian and his father the king. There is secret societies who have their own agendas going on behind the scenes.

Overall for an introduction to this world and series it seems like a very interesting way of retelling the Greek Mythology stories. Each book focuses on a different couple. My only issue with the book is some of the terms and names are from other very popular franchises. I want to see this author succeed and hope none of those franchises come after the author because of that. If you like Harry Potter, Vampire Academy, Star Wars, Throne of Glass all mixed together this book/series is for you. Thank you Netgallery, & Ever King for choosing me to be an arc for this book. I look forward to book 2!

Academy of Villains is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, weaving Greek mythology into a richly imagined world. Ever King crafts a narrative filled with morally complex characters, secret societies, and a unique magic system. Kiara's transformation from assassin to mage is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The dual POV storytelling adds depth to the characters, particularly the dynamic between Kiara and the prince. The concept of Heartstrings—a mystical bond linking two mages' souls—adds a poignant layer to the romantic elements. While the pacing occasionally slows, the intricate world-building and character development keep readers engaged.

This was a dark and addictive mix of fantasy, romance, and mythology—perfect for fans of dark academia and morally gray characters.
A crumbling kingdom where magic is dying and power is hoarded by a ruthless king. Enter Kiara, an orphaned assassin sent on a secret mission: sneak into the king’s elite magic academy and kill Prince Lucian.

But things quickly get complicated. Not only does Kiara discover she has magic of her own, but her growing connection with Lucian throws everything into question.

This books has enemies-to-lovers, tense and emotional, filled with betrayal, slow-burn romance, and inner conflict.

The magic system, with living spellbooks called Grimoires that reflect each mage's power. The whole academy vibe is moody, mysterious, and full of secrets, which totally pulls you in.

World-building, twisty plot, and layered characters....
This is just the beginning of a series, too—so there’s plenty more to look forward to.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am always down for a good mythology re-telling and I really enjoyed this one.

When Kiara is sent to kill the prince, only to find out she has magic of her own, it begins to change everything she thought she knew. Now forced to take classes in magic, she finds herself involved in secret societies, and avoiding her growing feelings for the prince she is supposed to kill. Kiara knows the King is using her, but not to extent that she and the prince discover. When they realize there is more at stake, the two of them are sent alone to complete three tasks to ultimately stop the king from following through with his plans.

I enjoyed the love story -- which is the retelling of Nyx and Erebus. Nyx is the goddess of night, and Erebus is the god of darkness. Together they represent both light and darkness.

The other aspect I like about Academy of Villains is that while the love story ends, the storyline continues, and the next book focuses on a new Greek mythology retelling.

I am anxiously awaiting the next book. If you have not heard of this book, I recommend picking it up and giving it a try!

Amazing book and beautiful retelling . I can’t wait to start book 2. I loved the retelling academia and love.

Academy of Villains flips the classic fantasy narrative on its head. Instead of noble quests or golden-hearted heroes, we’re thrown into the shadows, where orphans of war are molded into lethal weapons by the very force that destroyed their homes. It’s dark, gritty, and brimming with moral complexity and that’s what makes it stand out. This book asks: What if the bad guys had a reason to be bad?

At the heart of the story is Kiara, an assassin born of trauma and raised to obey. Her mission? Infiltrate the Academy of Mages and eliminate Prince Lucian Darkwing. But as she pretends to belong in a world of spellcasters and powerful Grimoires, she stumbles into a magical ceremony that links her to the very forces she despises. From here, her path diverges, pushing her to question loyalty, identity, and even her own capacity to love.

What makes this book worth picking up?
The magic system is genuinely intriguing, Grimoires as living extensions of mages, elemental affinities layered over personal spellbooks, and a deep lore that feels both fresh and inspired. Ever King weaves a world that feels like a gothic cousin to Harry Potter, with echoes of Greek myth, court intrigue, and shadowy societies. It’s atmospheric and emotionally charged, with just enough romance to leave your heart aching and your mind spinning.

Highlights:
-A morally gray protagonist you want to root for
Hidden identities, deadly secrets, and unexpected alliances
-A slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc that’s as tense as it is tender
-A “found family” vibe hidden under layers of distrust and duty
-That only one bed scene? Chef’s kiss.

Critiques:
While the pacing hooks you early on, there are moments, particularly in the middle, where the narrative lingers a bit too long in internal monologues or world-building exposition. Some side characters, though promising, don’t get the development they deserve, and the romance occasionally overshadows key plot threads. That said, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a bold, immersive debut.

Final Verdict:
If you're a fan of dark academia, anti-heroes, and morally tangled magic, Academy of Villains should absolutely be on your shelf. It’s not just a story about power, it’s about reclaiming identity in a world that tried to erase it.

Academy of Villians by Ever King 🌟

As the ruthless king decimated towns in his pursuit for magic, the children orphaned in the attacks are captured, and trained to be assassins. Known as The Nameless, their identities are stripped to become weapons for the king.

Kiara, one of these assassins is tasked with killing Lucian Darkwing, Crown Prince of Ithika.

To do so, she must enter the Academy of Mages. Forced to face the magic wielders she hates in order to find him, she unintentionally takes part in a ceremony that determines the magic class of the mages. It’s here that her life’s path is altered and she begins to question everything she thought she knew, including who the true enemy is.

A combination of Harry Potter vibes and Greek Mythology, Academy of Villains has an interesting magic system, with mages wielding Grimoires that they draw spells from when needed and each mage having their own elemental power on top of this. The story is laced with magic, intrigue and a romance that defies light and dark powers.

💚 Dark Academia
💚 Secret Society
💚 Heart Bonds
💚 Magic
💚 Greek Mythology
💚 Only 1 bed
💚 Enemies to lovers

This book had so many promising elements—assassins, mages, curses, secret societies, trials, and a mysterious prophecy involving three keys. Unfortunately, instead of building these threads into a cohesive narrative, it felt like the author threw every idea they loved into the mix at once and hoped it would stick. The result? A bit of a whirlwind.

We start with a badass assassin who randomly discovers she has magic and is immediately whisked off to an academy where, shockingly, there’s already a dorm room waiting for her and no one questions it. That’s kind of the vibe of the whole book—plot twists with no buildup, big developments with little explanation, and characters who just… go with the flow. For a trained killer, our main character doesn’t seem to have much bite, and we’re given no real insight into her past, her boss, or her actual training. And then there’s the prince—he’s supposed to be cool and important, but he remains more of a vague idea than a fleshed-out character.

The pacing is fast, and while it’s entertaining if you don’t think too hard, it leaves a lot of questions in its wake. Why did they stop looking for the keys? Why does no one question anything? Why do major magical events seem to happen without consequence or explanation?

If you love chaos, magic, and a little mystery without needing all the dots connected, Academy of Villains might be your kind of fun. But for readers who crave tighter worldbuilding and logical character development, this one might feel a bit too crowded.

As a lifelong fan of Greek mythology, I really enjoyed the core concept of this book. It was a lot of fun to see the story of Nyx and Erebus reimagined in a modern, magical academy setting.

The opening scene, where the students receive their magic, hooked me right away. It had that same kind of thrill you get from the sorting hat in Harry Potter or the Awakening in Zodiac Academy. It set the stage for what felt like a big, exciting story to come.

After that, though, the pacing slowed down. I appreciated the world building, and I can tell the author has done a ton of work to develop Ithaka and its surrounding lore. I even looked at her website and saw just how detailed everything is. But in the book itself, that depth didn’t quite come through. It felt like the world was being held just out of reach. Similarly, I had a hard time connecting with the characters because I didn’t feel like I really knew them well enough to care deeply about their journeys.

The trials brought the momentum back and added some much-needed excitement, but those scenes also felt a bit rushed. We’d get through one trial and be on to the next so quickly that I often found myself trying to catch up with what had actually happened.

All of that said, I think this is a strong YA debut with a unique premise that will appeal to younger readers, especially those who enjoy myth-based fantasy. I went into it expecting something a bit more in the New Adult range, but given the tone and the absence of romance or spice, it’s clearly aimed at a younger audience. The chemistry between Kiara and Lucien was great!

Overall, I’m intrigued by the world and premise, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book 2!

This is one of my favorite fantasy book so far. From the first page it grips your attention, and you don’t want to put it down. I read this book in two sittings. I really love the writing, it was so descriptive and engaging, and you can easily picture the locations, and the settings. I really love the FMC Kiara, she was really strong and stubborn and very likable. I also love the MMC Lucian, and their relationship was so well executed. I really love the other characters in the book, and I think it will have very good found family.
I definitely think that this book gives Harry Potter and Throne of Glass vibes, and I absolutely love that. I think that this book can be read by anyone, despite their age. I love the unique magical system and cannot wait to learn more in book 2. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves:
🤎 Greek mythology - Nyx and Erebus
🤎 He falls first
🤎 Enemies to lovers
🤎 Academic setting
🤎 Closed door romance
🤎 Assassin x prince
🤎 Fated bonds

The fmc is badass. It gives a new harry potter vibes. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you net galley!

A straight word romantasy novel, the first in a series. Kiara comes the academy as an assassin to kill the prince, but unexpectedly finds she is a powerful mage and instead studies there. Over time she learns to kind of like the prince…

She lost everything, her home, her parents and her name. She was still a child when she was trained as assassin in a secret army of the king used against his enemies.
Slowly the magic is disappearing and all as to do with the cursed prince. She is sure once the curse is lifted all will be better for the people. So she infiltrates the magic academy set into killing the prince. When she is discovered her whole live is changing again. Not only does she has her old, nearly forgotten name Kiara back, no also how is it possible that she has magic? She is in possession of magic which is assumed to be lost and soon even more secrets unfold.


I really enjoyed the start into this new series. What I really liked is that Greek mythology gets mixed here so well with magic and an academy setting.
When the story starts you assume that we have an assassin set out to do a job and then bit by bit during the story all aspects of the story line unfold. That Greek mythology is woven into the story you learn while reading (and at the end of the book there is very fine information about the connection). We have an academy setting with secret societies, the usual bullying and fighting but also a headmaster and an Oracle who give hints but are not showing all their cards.
Finding out what really goes on, who is involved in what was well written.

Kiara is for me a really great character and I liked her right from the start. She lost as young person everything and had to undertake a harsh and hard training to become an assassin. Still she has a good character and I got right from the start a connection to her. I liked it to learn with her more about magic and to find out more about secrets, learning to understand what is really going on in the kingdom.
Lucian you could assume has a nice live as prince but then you learn that this is absolutely not the case. I like that his magic seems to be dark and bad but in reality he is such a good person. With him we learn more about the mysterious history of his family.
The idea with the Heartstring which connects both on such a deep level was interesting. I liked it a lot that Kiara is not willing to accept this as she doesn´t know Lucian, was set so far on killing him and then she is supposed to accept that he is her true love and together they are more powerful. For me it was good to read that she struggled with it. That Lucian on the other hand has right from the start a connection to her, wants to keep her save and protect her was for me believable.

For me a good start into this series and I am looking forward for the next book what is awaiting Kiara and Lucian then.

⊹ 2.75 stars ⚔️

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

So, this wasn’t my favourite book… There were definitely some parts that were working, however there were some that were not. The plot was all over the place in my opinion, and at times I was so lost as to what was even happening. There were plot holes and things that weren’t really explained—or not until the very end. like what did the trials that were sprung upon them have to do with the curse? The curse wasn’t even explained until the last 10% of the book. Among other things like that.

The presmise is basically that there’s a girl who is an assassin hired to kill this prince. She somehow sneaks into a magic academy, but discovers she has powers instead that she never knew about. I was intrigued by this, and there were some other interesting concepts, such as heartstrings, the nameless guild of assassins, merging their powers, etc. However I just felt like it wasn’t executed the best.

The characters and world felt underdeveloped—I just couldn’t connect to them. As for the setting, it’s like it was trying to mimic Harry Potter but make it dark, which sort of worked? The writing was only okay, and I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the dialogue. One of the characters literally said, “Let’s show him what we’re made of!” which is a little too cliche for my taste.

Despite this, I will admit it was slightly entertaining at times. Overall, i think there was definitely lots of potential, but the execution wasn’t the best in my opinion! But I can see why some people may have enjoyed this more than I did.

Thank you again for the arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

Run, do not walk to read Academy of Villains. If you love Skulduggery Pleasant/Shadowhunters/Harry Potter you'll love this. There's magic, adventure, passion and power. There were also a few newfound tropes that I really enjoyed - enemies to lovers, he falls first, touch her and die, touch him and die. We're thrown straight into the action and the unknown, wondering what will happen. I felt so immersed into this new mysterious and seemingly volatile world. The underlying tension that steadily builds between Prince Lucian and Kiara is everything. This story is a high stakes, must succeed action adventure and it's not even over yet. I can't wait to read more in this series to see where it takes this group of young mages. Academy of Villains is already one of my favourite fantasies and is another book that's made me fall completely back in love with reading fantasy.